In episode 591, Megan chats to Alexandra Shytsman about how to avoid 7 common food photography mistakes beginners make, including lighting, angle and styling mistakes.

Alexandra Shytsman is a recipe developer, food photographer, and creator of The New Baguette, a plant-based recipe site. Her mission is to inspire people to cook healthier plant-centered meals at home. She is the author of Friendsgiving, co-author of The Complete Vegan Cookbook, and contributes to sites like Simply Recipes and EatingWell. She has also been teaching in-person food photography classes (in groups and one-on-one) since 2018. Originally from Ukraine, Alex moved to New York City at a young age and has lived there ever since.

In this episode, you'll learn more about using natural light versus artificial light, the correct angle for shooting food, which garnishes to use and which ones to avoid and how to make boring food stand out.

Key points discussed:

- Lighting is crucial: Use natural light or photography-specific equipment, rather than overhead kitchen lights, to achieve flattering and accurate food photography.

- Avoid tilted angles: Keep the camera horizon straight to create a more natural and comfortable viewing experience for the audience.

- Provide context: Zooming out to show the entire plate or scene, rather than just a close-up, helps provide context and balance to the image.

- Choose props carefully: Neutral-colored, non-distracting props are recommended to avoid drawing attention away from the food.

- Are your photos in focus? Learning to use the camera in manual mode and checking focus before finalizing the shot can help ensure crisp, in-focus images.

- Garnishes can transform boring photos: Adding thoughtful garnishes, such as herbs, spices, or seeds, can enhance the visual appeal of the food.

- Plan before you shoot: Creating a mood board and shot list beforehand can help streamline the photography process and ensure all necessary shots are captured.

- Embrace negative space: Allowing for some empty space around the food can create a more balanced and visually appealing composition.

Connect with Alexandra Shytsman

Website | Instagram